Hey people, I’m nonetheless right here in Singapore. My flight is kind of a bit later than I initially thought so Lewis is off the hook right now.
I used to be on the recreation final night time, a 3-2 win over Newcastle on the Nationwide Stadium, so like we did in opposition to AC Milan, listed below are some observations.
Large Vik arrived
From what I collect, Viktor Gyokeres mainly bought off a flight from London to Singapore, bought whisked to the stadium, mentioned a number of hellos behind the scenes, then pulled on his quantity 14 shirt and bought introduced to the group because the membership’s newest signing. As you’d think about, the reception he obtained was unbelievable. He walked onto the pitch, did some waves, walked off once more and that was that.
I don’t know you may ask way more from him within the circumstances, however clearly now he’s with the squad for the ultimate leg of the tour. They head to Hong Kong tomorrow, and it’s not unimaginable that he may make an precise look in opposition to Sp*rs, however I’m positive he’ll be correctly assessed by way of his health and readiness to do this.
Kai Havertz
Everybody’s understandably excited in regards to the new man, and all of us hope he’ll be an enormous success, however perhaps his arrival places a little bit of strain on Kai Havertz. That doesn’t should be a foul factor, and within the first half yesterday he offered the help for Mikel Merino’s neatly taken equaliser, and it was his cross from the left that led to the personal objective to make it 2-1.
Ideally you need each Havertz and Gyokeres to play an enormous half this season. We’ve realized the exhausting manner asking an excessive amount of of our gamers results in accidents, and I don’t suppose the German is the form of man who will simply sulk or let his head drop as a result of there’s one other participant who’s a viable choice for his place.
Newcastle are bodily
Afterwards, Mikel Arteta mentioned video games like this are usually not friendlies, calling them ‘a take a look at’ as a substitute. Which I get. This recreation was performed at the next tempo than the one in opposition to AC Milan, and I believe going through Premier League opposition calls for extra from you for varied causes. Nevertheless, I’ll say I questioned the knowledge of enjoying a group who like to depart a bit in in too many challenges.
You might argue it’s a part of our preparation, it gained’t be any totally different once we face them within the Premier League, however while you see Joelinton come on and slap a 15 12 months previous within the face – having simply completed the identical factor to Merino a number of seconds earlier – it might probably get a bit irritating. Significantly after accidents derailed our final season. Fortunately, not one of the challenges dealt any critical injury, nevertheless it wasn’t for the shortage of making an attempt from one or two of the Newcastle gamers.
As a small apart Elliot and I walked previous their assistant supervisor Jason Tindall in Singapore yesterday as we went to go for lunch. He seems to be like a twat up shut too.
Ricardo Calafiori
I loved his first 45 minutes, and it’s fascinating that Mikel Arteta has began him in each video games out right here. He clearly needs to provide him central defensive minutes as there’s nonetheless some doubt as to when precisely Gabriel shall be 100% match. Early within the second half although, he went down with no person round him, and needed to come off. He went straight down the tunnel, not wanting too completely happy.
Afterwards, Arteta described it as a ‘tweak’, however of what we don’t know. Hopefully it’s nothing critical, however maybe greater than anybody else, the Italian actually wanted an injury-free pre-season to offer some reassurance – for himself and for us as followers. After final season it’s exhausting to not fear. There’s an excellent participant there, however issues about his reliability/availability will proceed if he’s sidelined once more.
Max Dowman (once more)
Identical to in opposition to AC Milan, he got here on and impressed. This was much more putting although, doing it in opposition to Premier League opposition fairly than a Serie A facet who mainly ambled their manner via the earlier recreation. He had two pictures which the keeper did nicely to avoid wasting, and the burst and run which gained the penalty – desperately pushed down by Joelinton – was sensational. The mixture of ability and tempo was breathtaking.
Requested about him afterwards, Arteta mentioned:
It’s particular. Clearly what he’s completed right now in opposition to this group within the time that he had on the pitch is one thing actually not frequent to witness for a 15-year-old.
As you may think, Arsenal are eager to maintain the hype to a minimal due to his age. However when you’re going to play him in a excessive profile pre-season pleasant and he does what he did final night time, persons are going to speak. Followers, the press, podcasters, everybody. I get the necessity to preserve a lid on it due to his age, he can’t even signal skilled phrases till he turns 17 (however that’s not till the tip of 2026), however we’re seeing one thing a bit particular right here and I believe it’s alright to say that out loud.
Singapore
Just a few ultimate ideas alone keep right here, fairly than the match final night time. An enormous thanks to everybody I met for his or her welcome and hospitality. It’s all the time superb to attach with followers from all around the world, and there have been so lots of them right here this week. I’ve had such a good time, and I can’t wait to come back again right here once more. On prime of every part else, the meals is simply so good!
Proper, I’ll depart it there. Andrew Allen shall be on weblog obligation tomorrow, and hopefully – if we are able to line issues up by way of timing/tiredness/jet-lag – we’ll have a podcast for you too.
For now, have a very good one!
